As Good as It Gets (1997)
Kernel Score: 85% · 4,049 TMDB ratings · Rated PG-13
Genres: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: 1997-12-19
Runtime: 139 minutes
Is As Good as It Gets worth watching?
Worth watching. A cranky, cruel novelist is slowly pulled into the lives of a waitress and a neighbour. Nicholson and Hunt are very good, and the film is funny and warm if a little neat at the end.
Watch it if you
- like adult romantic comedies with sharp dialogue
- enjoy grumpy characters who soften
- want strong lead performances
Skip it if you
- dislike rude, bigoted-sounding humour from the lead
- want a gritty romance
Best for: Cosy date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch As Good as It Gets
- Stream: MGM+
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-11-12.
Overview
A misanthropic author, a single mother and waitress, and a gay artist form an unlikely friendship after the artist is assaulted in a robbery.
As Good as It Gets parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that As Good as It Gets is a PG-13 comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship between a misanthropic, bigoted author, a waitress, and a gay artist.
- Language: Some — The lead character is noted as rude and makes racist and biased remarks reflecting his misanthropy.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official PG-13 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like As Good as It Gets
If you liked As Good as It Gets, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Terms of Endearment (1983) — 79%: Funny and moving family drama with a prickly neighbour
- The Apartment (1960) — 91%: Bittersweet romantic comedy for grown-ups
- Toc Toc (2017) — 79%: Comedy built around people's obsessive habits
- Love, Simon (2018) — 89%: Warm, funny story of an awkward person finding connection
- Forrest Gump (1994) — 97%: Gentle, sweet story of an unlikely love
Director
Cast
- Jack Nicholson as Melvin Udall
- Helen Hunt as Carol Connelly
- Greg Kinnear as Simon Bishop
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Frank Sachs
- Shirley Knight as Beverly Connelly
- Jesse James as Spencer Connelly
- Yeardley Smith as Jackie Simpson
- Lupe Ontiveros as Nora Manning
- Skeet Ulrich as Vincent Lopiano
- Harold Ramis as Dr. Bettes
As Good as It Gets FAQ
Is As Good as It Gets worth watching?
Worth watching. A cranky, cruel novelist is slowly pulled into the lives of a waitress and a neighbour. Nicholson and Hunt are very good, and the film is funny and warm if a little neat at the end.
Where can I watch As Good as It Gets?
In the US you can stream As Good as It Gets on MGM+ and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and YouTube.
Is As Good as It Gets OK for kids?
As Good as It Gets is rated PG-13. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that As Good as It Gets is a PG-13 comedy-drama about an unlikely friendship between a misanthropic, bigoted author, a waitress, and a gay artist.
What movies are like As Good as It Gets?
If you liked As Good as It Gets, try Terms of Endearment, The Apartment, Toc Toc and Love, Simon.